Water Supply Outlook for Alberta

August 2008

Table 4b Water Supply Forecast as of August 1, 2008 - Bow River Basin (Natural Flows)

Volume Forecast for August 1 to September 30, 2008 Year to date
Locations Volume in dam3 Volume as a
% of Average
Probable Range as a % of Average Reasonable Minimum
as % of Average
Forecast Ranking (lowest to highest) Recorded March-July 2008 Volume as a % of Average Ranking (lowest to highest)
Bow River at Banff 264,000* 94 82-110 78 35/91 84** 16/91
Lake Minnewanka Inflow 45,600* 106 88-151 79 62/91 131** 79/91
Spray River near Banff 87,600* 104 92-126 85 55/91 104** 51/91
Kananaskis River 102,000* 97 89-118 84 49/91 105** 53/91
Bow River at Calgary 596,000* 95 81-115 76 48/91 110** 66/91
Elbow River 54,600* 112 90-211 77 72/91 147** 81/91
Highwood River 85,300* 98 84-133 65 64/91 139** 74/91

*NOTE: The forecast shown is the March to September 2008 forecast minus the recorded volume to date

Note: Click on the site Location to see the Water Supply Forecast graphically

** - Recorded 2008 natural volumes are preliminary and subject to change

Average is calculated for the period 1912 to 2001

NOTE: There is: a 50% chance that the actual natural flow will fall within the probable range given; a 25% chance that the actual flow will be less than the lower bound of the probable range given; and a 10% chance that the actual natural flow will be less than the reasonable minimum. Actual day to day streamflow conditions may vary throughout the season as a result of the effects of streamflow diversion and reservoir storage.


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